Air Filter Compare

How A Filterless Air Purifier Works

If you watch television late at night,
you are probably familiar with a
filterless air purifier called the Ionic
Breeze. These systems have benefits and
drawbacks. Lately, there has been some
controversy over their safety. Some
consider them to be unsafe, while others
swear by the results.

How a Filterless Air Purifiers Work

A filterless purifier works by giving
the incoming air an electrostatic
charge. This charge also charges
particles in the air. The air is then
moved past an oppositely charged
collection grid. The impurities in the
air are attracted to the grid, like a
magnet. The grid must be removed
periodically and cleaned of the
impurities. This is easily done with a
damp cloth. Once the grid is completely
dry, replace it and turn the machine
back on. These systems can be installed
on a forced air heating system to treat
the whole house, or can be purchased in
portable units.

This process creates ozone in the air.
If you have been outside after a
thunderstorm, you have smelled natural
ozone in the air. These systems clean
the air the way nature cleans the
outdoor air.

However, some feel the ozone that is
created can be a health hazard,
particularly if it is highly
concentrated. If you are using a
portable air cleaner, be sure it isn?t
too big for the room in which it is
being used. The square footage is listed
on the box and in the owner?s manual.
Another option is to run it for a while
and then turn it off before using the
room.

Benefits of a Filterless Air Purifier

There are no filters to change with this
type of purification system. Replacement
filters can be expensive and not having
one saves money in the long run.

They use a collection grid to collect
impurities, rather than a filter. The
impurities stick to the grid and are
wiped off with a damp cloth. Once the
grid is clean and dry, place it back in
the machine and turn it on.

The filtration process leaves a fresh
smsell in the air that many people find
vitalizing. You won?t need to use air
fresheners with these systems.

They are nearly silent when running.
This is great for night time use. Some
air purification systems can be very
noisy and may need to be turned off at
night.

Drawbacks of Filterless Air Purifiers

The safety of these filtration systems
was called into question a few years ago
when Consumer Reports gave the Ionic
Breeze a bad review and called it
hazardous. The reason is the ozone that
is a by product of the purification
process. Ozone is a pollutant and can be
irritating to people with asthma or
other respiratory disorders. Sharper
Image responded by adding a component
called ?Ozone Guard? which is said to
convert most of the ozone into oxygen.
On a later review, Consumer Reports
still gave the machine low marks, but
said the ozone output is now in
acceptable levels.

These systems are more expensive than
other air purifiers. However, when you
add in the cost of replacement filters,
this price difference diminishes over
time.

The collection grid must be cleaned
frequently. If it isn?t clean, it won?t
work. The frequency depends on the
number of impurities in the air. Homes
with pets, smokers, a lot of dust, etc,
will need more frequent cleaning.

If you watch television late at night, you are probably
familiar with a filterless air purifier called the Ionic
Breeze. These systems have benefits and drawbacks. Lately,
there has been some controversy over their safety. Some
consider them to be unsafe, while others swear by the
results.

How a Filterless Air Purifiers Work

A filterless purifier works by giving the incoming air an
electrostatic charge. This charge also charges particles in
the air. The air is then mo...

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